Modular insole system

ABSTRACT

The modular insole system includes a base pad with a plurality forms releasably connected to the top surface thereof. The forms respectively correspond to orthotic support for the heel, arch, and ball portions of a foot. The forms are preferably releasably connected by hook and loop fastening material to the base pad and are made of foam. The forms are adjustable in any location on the top surface of the base pad to provide a custom configuration for a given user. The base pad and foam forms can be provided in different sizes, foam types, durometer hardness, and the like, and can be mixed and matched as needed to further customize the modular insole system for the given user. The forms have edges that complement each other so the insole can more closely simulate expensive custom insoles that are monolithic even when moved about on the base pad.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is related to, and claims benefit from, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/196,769, filed on Jun. 4, 2021, entitled“MODULAR INSOLE SYSTEM,” incorporated by reference in its entirety,herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear. More specifically,the present invention relates to insoles that are placed inside of shoesor other footwear for support and comfort. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a modular insole system for footwear.

In the prior art, there are two general categories of insoles that arecommonly available. First, standardized insoles are available which havea preset configuration and contour. Some standardized insoles areavailable in different sizes and sometimes can be trimmed to size to fita given user's footwear at hand. Since these standardized insoles arenot manufactured for a given user in mind, they are well-suited for massdistribution but suffer from the disadvantage of not being customized orcontoured to the individual form of a user's foot or their footwear.Thus, standardized insoles are often not comfortable or not ascomfortable as they can be.

Second, and customized insoles for individual needs are also available.In such a customized insole product, the insoles are manufacturedaccording to the specifications provided by the user, such as fromsimple measurements or from a more elaborate foot measurement andpressure point measurement system that are found at shoe store, doctor'soffice and other locations. Such customized insoles suffer from thedisadvantage of extended processing time, high cost and the involvementa professional and the cost associate with the professional. As aresult, custom insoles are expensive and time consuming to produce.

Still further, both standardized and customized insoles both suffer fromthe problem of being produced as a unitary, fixed forms which cannot bere-adjusted or re-configured by the consumer after purchase. There areno known insoles that addresses the foregoing issues.

Therefore, there is a need for an insole system that is customizable bythe user without the need for a professional for fitting.

Therefore, there is a need for an insole system that is modular.

There is also a need for a modular insole system that is inexpensive.

There is a further need for a modular insole system that can beimmediately customizable by the user.

There is also a need for a modular insole system that can be re-adjustedand/or re-configured by the user at any time, even after purchase.

There is a further need for a modular insole system to perform and feelto the user the same as a more expensive full orthotic.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a new and novel modular insole systemthat facilitates simple and immediate customization by the consumer/userto the specific form of their foot. Insoles created by the modularinsole system of the present invention provides ideal support andcomfort immediately and may be re-adjusted or re-configured at any timeeven after purchase and initial configuration.

The modular insole system includes a base pad with a plurality formsreleasably connected to the top surface thereof. The forms respectivelycorrespond to orthotic support for the heel, arch, and ball portions ofa foot. The forms are preferably releasably connected by hook and loopfastening material to the base pad and are made of foam but may besecured using other releasable structures. The forms are adjustable inany location on the top surface of the base pad to provide a customconfiguration for a given user. The base pad and foam forms can beprovided in different sizes, foam types, durometer hardness, and thelike, and can be mixed and matched as needed to further customize themodular insole system for the given user.

More specifically, the present invention provides a fully customizableand adjustable insole using “hook” and “loop” fasteners, such as VELCRO,to secure and retain different components of the insole in place. A basepad preferably covers the entire inside bottom of the shoe and includes“loop” part of fastening material on the top surface thereof, whichpreferably has a velour portion, which means velvet. A “crochet”portion, which means hook is provided on the bottom of the forms. Thehook material may be recessed to reside in seat in the bottom of theforms. Thus, the velvet portion serves as the “loop” material and thecrochet portion serves as “hook” material that releasably secure to eachother. Thus, the base pad is very comfortable when present in the bottomof the shoe. Also, it is possible for loop material to be provided onthe bottom of the forms and the hook material on the top surface of thebase pad. For ease of reference herein, the embodiment of loop materialon the base pad and hook material on the bottom of the forms will bereferenced but it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothis embodiment.

Preferably three different and separate foam forms are preferablyprovided, one contoured for the heel, one contoured for the arch, andone contoured for the ball of the foot. More or less than three formsmay be provided. The foam forms can be positioned and then re-positionedon the “loop” pad in the bottom of the shoe to enhance the comfort ofthe user. The foam forms can be offered in different sizes anddurometers (degrees of firmness) and may be color coded for the threelocations of the pads. For example, blue may indicate the heel form,yellow may indicate the arch form and red may indicate the form for theball portion of the foot. Indicia may be also be provided on the top ofthe base pad to indicate where each form type should be located. Themodular insoles of the present invention, once customized, can befurther configured and re-configured later, that is, releasably locatedon different parts of the base pad, if desired.

The modular insole system of the present invention is unlike known priorart custom insoles. Thus, the insoles of the present invention includeinterchangeable and re-adjustable foam pads that support the heel, archand ball of the foot, for example. The pads are readjustable in bothaxes in a plane parallel with the top surface of the base pad, namely,front to back and side to side in the X and Y directions.

Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a modular insolesystem that is moderately priced, fully customizable, and continuouslyre-adjustable.

A further object is to provide modular insoles that provide idealsupport and comfort where customization can be easily done by consumersat home at any time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an insolesystem so consumers will have no hesitation to experiment with differentconfigurations because the modular insole system is easilyre-configurable at any time.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular insolesystem that is fully adaptable to changes in circumstances, such as whena consumer may experience a strain or an injury or may purchase a newpair of shoes with a different fit.

There is yet another object of the present invention to provide amodular insole system where the user can re-adjust the forms of theirmodular insole system as desired to meet new circumstances and needs fortheir feet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features that are characteristic of the present invention areset forth in the appended claims. However, the invention's preferredembodiments, together with further objects and attendant advantages,will be best understood by reference to the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the modular insole system of thepresent invention with forms releasably installed in place for a singlefoot, by way of example;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the present invention of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of present invention of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the present invention of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a left side elevational view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevational view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a top view of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a bottom of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the modular insole system used forboth the left and right foot for a complete insole system;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective representative view of the modularinsole system of the present invention showing the releasable connectionof the forms to the base pad;

FIG. 11 is a cross-section view through the line 11-11 of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of two optional sets of forms with differentcharacteristics;

FIG. 13 is a close-up side elevational view of the forms releasablysecured to the base pad;

FIG. 14 shows a top view of the base pad with its loop material on thetop surface thereof;

FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of a form for the ball of the foot with hookmaterial thereon;

FIG. 16 shows a bottom view of a form for the arch of the foot with hookmaterial thereon;

FIG. 17 shows a bottom view of a form for the heel of the foot with hookmaterial thereon;

FIG. 18 shows the modular insole of the present invention installed in ashoe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The new and unique modular insole system of the present invention isshown and described herein in detail.

It should be understood that the modular insole system 10 is providedfor both feet, namely, for both the right and the left foot, which aremerely mirror images of each other and function identically to eachother. Thus, a pair of modular insole systems 10 are provided for bothfeet, as shown in FIG. 9 . For ease of discussion and illustrationherein, the present invention will be discussed in detail regarding amodular insole system 10 for one foot, such as the right foot, but itshould be understood that the present invention includes a modularinsole system 10 for the left foot as well.

Turning now to FIGS. 1-8 , various view of the modular insole system isshown. FIG. 9 shows the modular insole system for use for both feet.FIGS. 1-8 shows a base pad, generally referred to as 14, with a numberof preferably foam forms 16 a-16 c for different parts of the foot, suchas the heel, arch, and ball, that attach to a top surface 14 a of thebase pad 14. As shown in FIG. 10 , indicia 18 is preferably provided onthe top surface 14 a of the base pad 14 to help guide user placement andadjustability for location of the foam forms, 16 a-16 c both front/backand side/side, on the base. For example, the indicia 18 can be providedto help locate the forms 16 a-16 c for the specific locations of heel,arch and ball of the foot of a user.

As seen in FIG. 14 , the base pad 14 is preferably a flat, semi-rigidpad shaped to cover the inside bottom surface of a shoe 12. Insoles areso well known in the art that further details need not be provided. Themodular insole system 10 of the present invention is shown installed ina shoe 12 in FIG. 18 . The base pad 14 includes loop material portion 20of fastening material that is permanently bonded to the top face 14 a ofthe base pad 14. The foam forms 16 a-16 c are each shaped to support oneof the three primary areas of the foot, namely, the heel, arch, andball. The upward facing side of each foam form 16 a-16 c is contoured tointerface with the underside of a respective one of the three primaryareas of the foot. The downward facing side of each foam form 16 a-16 cis preferably flat and permanently bonded to hook material 22 of thehook and loop fastener structure. As discussed below in connection withFIGS. 11 and 15-17 , the hook material 22 is preferably recessed in aseat 24.

Therefore, the present invention addresses the three fundamental stressareas on the foot: (1) the heel when landing, (2) the ball whenlaunching, and (3) the arch which is the bridge between them. The fullycustomizable and adjustable insole 10 of the present invention uses hookmaterial 22 and loop material 20 to adjust and configure the foam forms16 a-16 c on the base pad 14. The foam forms 16 a-16 c can be offered indifferent sizes and durometers (degrees of firmness) and can be of anytype of cushioning material that can be re-configured at any time and ondemand. Therefore, the insole 10 of the present invention, typicallyprovided in pairs of insoles 10, one for each foot, are uniquelyinter-changeable and re-adjustable because the foam forms 16 a-16 csupporting the heel, arch, and ball of the foot can be easily detach andre-attached by the user whenever desired. Re-adjustments are possiblealong two axes in a plane parallel to the top surface 14 a of the basepad 14, namely, front to back and side to side.

Once a modular insole 10, namely a pair of insoles 10, is assembled andconfigured in accordance with the modular insole system 10 of thepresent invention, it can then be inserted into a shoe 12 or otherfootwear for use by the user. For example, the insole 10 of the presentinvention can be placed on the top of a midsole (not shown) alreadyresiding on an outsole of the footwear 12. Alternatively, a shoe midsole(not shown) can be removed and the modular insole 10 of the presentinvention can be placed directly on the outsole of the footwear 12. Or,while not typical, the modular insole 10 of the present invention may beplaced on an existing insole in the footwear 12. In other words, theinsole 10 of the present invention may be incorporated into existingfootwear 12 in many different ways and still be within the scope of thepresent invention. Such configuration and use of the modular insole 10of the present invention can be modified by the user to suit theirparticular footwear needs and need not be discussed in further detail assuch footwear construction is known in the art.

FIG. 12 shows examples of how the modular insole system 10 can includeforms 16 a-16 c that have different characteristics, such as size, foamtype, configuration, shape firmness, durometer hardness, finish,material type, and the like. Thus, the consumer can choose foam forms 16a-16 c from an array of different characteristics based on theirindividual needs and preferences. It is thus also possible to mix andmatch forms 16 a-16 c of different characteristics. For example, anindividual may desire a very hard arch form 16 b, a medium hardness heel16 c form but a very soft form at the ball of the foot 16 a. This ispossible with the present invention. Moreover, color and part numberscan be used to easily identify specific segments to facilitate use ofthe modular insole system 10 of the present invention for the user. Asin FIG. 12 , the lower set of forms 16 a-16 c, generally referred to as26 may be of a harder material while the upper set 28 may be of a softermaterial. As mentioned above, these forms 16 a-16 c may be mixed andmatched, as desired.

For example, in consideration of arch support, one consumer may prefer alarge size with medium firmness and a high arch, while another mayprefer a medium size with rigid firmness and a low arch. Thus, for eachof the primary areas of the foot, the consumer may customize the sizeand firmness of each foam form 16 a-16 c supporting each area of thefoot.

The perimeter of each foam form 16 a-16 c is minimized or tapered toreduce contiguity and maximize range of movement. The foam forms 16 a-16c are movable along two axes: front to back and side to side, as shownby the double arrows on each form 16 a-16 c in FIG. 7 . Still referringto FIG. 7 , the plan shape of the foam forms 16 a-16 c are configured sothey complement each other. More specifically, the interfacing edges 30a-30 c of each foam form 16 a-16 c are configured so they have a shapethat is complementary to the shape of a neighboring foam form. Forexample, the edge 30 a of foam form 16 a has a wave-like shape tosubstantially match the rounded shape of the edge 30 b of the arch foamform 16 b. Similarly, edge 30 c of foam form 16 c is wave like edge tosubstantially match with the edge of 30 b of the arch foam form 16 b.This a particularly advantageous because it enables the insole 10 of thepresent invention to more closely simulate an expensive custom insolethat is monolithic. Also, these complementary shapes of edges 30 a-30 cof the forms 16 a-16 c permit up and down and side to side adjustment ofthe forms 16 a-16 c while still closely simulating monolithic insole.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , a cross-sectional view through the line 11-11of FIG. 7 , shows further details of one of the forms 16 a-16 c employedin the present invention, namely, the arch foam form 16 b, as anexample. The other forms 16 a, 16 c and their releasable attachment tothe base pad 14 with loop material 20 thereon would have a similarcross-section. The bottom sides of all forms 16 a-16 c are shown inFIGS. 15-17 . Referring to FIGS. 11 and 15-17 , it can be seen that eachfoam form 16 a-16 c preferably includes a recessed seat 24 in the bottomsurface thereof. Thus, the hook material is preferably inset or recessedin the underside of each foam form 16 a-16 c, which can help enhance aflush fit between the forms 16 a-16 c and base pad 14 and thereby allowthe insole to feel “seamless” to the user's foot. It is also moreaesthetically appealing. Alternatively, it is possible that the hookmaterial 22 is secured directly on the bottom surface of the forms 16a-16 c.

In view of the above, the modular insole system 10 provides consumerswith a moderately priced, fully customizable, and continuouslyre-adjustable and re-configurable insoles 10 which provide ideal supportand comfort. Thus, the consumer can easily re-configure the insole 10 atany time with respect to the position, size, and firmness of each foamform 16 a-16 c supporting each of the three primary areas of the foot.To achieve ideal support and comfort, any foam form 16 a-16 c may bere-positioned at any time, and any foam form 16 a-16 c may be removedand replaced at any time with a different size or firmness.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular insole system, comprising: a base padhaving a top surface and a bottom surface; at least one form, having abottom surface and a top surface, releasably secured to the top surfaceof the base pad; wherein the forms are adjustably secured in anylocation on the top surface of the base pad, the forms being securablefront to back and side to side in a plane parallel to the top surface ofthe base pad.
 2. The modular insole system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one form is a plurality forms.
 3. The modular insole system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one form is releasably secured to the topsurface of the base pad by complementary releasable fastening material.4. The modular insole system of claim 3, wherein the complementaryreleasable fastening material is hook material on the base pad and loopmaterial on the at least one form or loop material on the base pad andhook material on the at least one form.
 5. The modular insole system ofclaim 3, wherein the at least on form defines a seat in the bottomsurface thereof, releasable fastening material residing therein.
 6. Themodular insole system of claim 1, wherein the at least one form is madeof foam.
 7. The modular insole system of claim 2, wherein the pluralityof forms includes a heel form, an arch form and a ball form.
 8. Themodular insole system of claim 7, wherein the heel form, an arch formand a ball form are configured and arranged to approximately interlockwith each other to provide an insole member that simulates orthoticcoverage on an entire surface of the base pad.